Man Drowns Trying To Save Tourists

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Strong Rip Current Pulls Him Under

POMPANO BEACH — A man who tried to save the lives of two Dutch tourists on Sunday drowned in the ocean after being pulled under by a strong rip current, police said.

Brian Siebenmorgan, 34, of Pompano Beach, was spending the afternoon at the beach in the 750 block of North Ocean Boulevard when he and his friend, William Govette, 19, noticed two women struggling in the surf behind the Admirality Towers.

Both went into the water and helped one of the women, Sally Terpsma, 44, back to shore.

The second woman, Gitana Kmieliauskaite, 28, remained in the water, panicking, Govette said. She was about 75 to 100 yards from shore.

"We both went out to get her, but Brian had a hard time swimming," Govette said. Within 15 to 20 minutes, Govette noticed Siebenmorgan drifting away, face down.

Larry Rever of Pompano Beach ran into the water with his son, Pascal, and nephew, Donald Breton. Together, they managed to bring in Kmieliauskaite and Siebenmorgan, who was unconscious. Govette got back to the shore on his own.

The current had carried them more than 200 yards south, Govette said.

Siebenmorgan was taken to North Broward Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, said Sandra King, Pompano Beach police spokeswoman. The women were treated at the scene and released.

Weather and beach officials were not warning swimmers of rip currents on Sunday, although forecasters said they were possible. The section of the beach where the swimmers had trouble was not protected by a lifeguard. Govette was visiting Siebenmorgan from Philadelphia. Siebenmorgan was a travel agent from Warner-Robbins, Ga. He was divorced three years ago and has two young children. "He would always go out of his way to help people. Sometimes, too much for his own good," Govette said. "He's a brave guy. He definitely tried to save those women."